Well, I have actually solved my worry problems with my 1990 350 SDL. I fell asleep Sunday night and took out a telephone pole at about 40 MPH. The car only had 105,000 miles. The interior is perfect in every way. Three doors are perfect as is the trunk lid. Passenger front door has minor damage at front edge. Drivers fender good. Passenger fender, hood, grill, airbag and front bumper ruined. Frame bent. From what I can see the engine is still good, well as good as the 350 ever was. Transmission and rear end ok. All glass intact except windshield. I have the car over at a body shop in Philadelphia. If anyone is interested please get back to me in the next day, as I will have to move it out soon. I am not sure what any of the local wrecking yards will pay me so I am interested in any offers. I may be able to deliver with in 100 miles radius as I do have triple A. Perhaps it was karma, no more worries now. I will say this, that car was undoubtedly the finest driving car that I have ever owned.

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T.W.
1987 300D 170,000 Mi.
1990 350SDL 105,000 Mi.
1979 450SL 147,000 Mi.
1976 U 1300 Unimog 4400 H
1963 Piper Cherokee 160 1800 H

Yes, I'll second that response! These cars are made to make sure you are still around to buy another when something bad happens. And I agree they are exceptional cars when they are whole. Hope you feel alright physically and find another car to replace it quickly! Remember, it did what it was designed to do under the worst of circumstances and you are still here, and apparently ok, as evidence. Good luck, Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

I assume you sheared off the telephone pole in a clean break?

Incidently, people in a Yugo or Honda Civic usually don't survive shearing off a telephone pole.

Hope you are OK and the safety restraints protected you like they should have - very sorry about the car.

Ken300D

Glad you are OK, sorry about the car. In addition to the many reasons why I like my car is safety, which I hope I dont' have to test.

Take care,

JCD

Glad you are ok. I am also curious how you took the impact as well as the car. Did the airbag(s) deploy?

Glad also that you are O.K.. How much are you asking for the whole car? Where in Philly are you? I'm in West Chester. I'm sure that somebody will be able to use a parts car. It maybe a worthwhile opportunity to take your engine and have a professional engine rebuild with the "new spec" rods etc. and then drop that into their 350 SD or 350SDL (!?). Hope you can find another great MB diesel soon....

'Glad nobody was hurt. You're right about it being a fantasic car. My 91 350SDL is, without a doubt, the best driving, best riding car I have experienced. Good luck.